Maeve nods in approval at the breakdown of the watch order and bids goodnight to Boreas and Zuriel.  Before beginning her watch, she goes outside and, as best she can, ties what is left of Reverend Simon to one of the tavern's hitching posts so that he will be ready for questioning tomorrow.

Once back inside, she looks around for her watch partner and seeing Lyriel and Rachel poised to begin their "girl talk" once again bites her lip, unsure how to proceed.

Well, at any rate, I'm glad they've both found a friend.

Maeve sits in a chair by the door intending to spend her watch doing something she understands a little better: cleaning and oiling her guisarme.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 789):

The watch thus established, the P.A.R.T.Y. settles in for the night.  Watch after watch passes uneventfully, and the night fades into memory without incident.

***

Morning dawns bright and rosy in a cloudless sky, painting a beautiful scene that's distinctly at odds with the sour mood of the villagers.  Mostly farmers, they begin to stir not long after third watch begins, heading out one by one to collect their valuables and prepare for the long journey.

By the time first and second watch is awake once more, you find the tavern nearly empty.  The barkeep, Rachel, and Oliver are running around with boxes, barrels, and crates, loading up cart after cart as they arrive from the various homesteads.

The hours tick buy in a blur, and by midday -- miraculously -- the entire village is "packed" and ready to go.

They make an impressive sight gathered together outside the Eagle-Eye Tavern, and you take note of the caravan's makeup silently.



"All set?" Sheriff Mathers asks, mounted upon a dappled gray.  "We really appreciate you escorting us to Medenbury -- I know it'll slow you down."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:18, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

Amid the commotion of setting off from Vendrinor, Maeve finds time to have a chat with Rachel and Oliver.

While we're traveling to Medenbury, we have safety in numbers.  If you choose to continue with us from there, the road might be a little more dangerous.  Tell me: do either of you have any skill with a weapon of any sort?

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 792):

"I'm a fair archer, ma'am," Oliver says.  "My brothers and I used to go hunting every now and again."

Rachel shakes her head.

"I learned a little fencing from my father, but nothing dramatic."

Boreas rubs his eye as he walks out of the tavern, other hand clamped on one of his now-aching wounds.

Lyriel, I hope you're feeling rested.  I could really use a little help.

He looks for Simon's corpse, ready to be rid of the thing.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 794):

The body lays where it was left, unharmed except for the massive wounds it suffered in life.  Flies have begun to flock toward the slowly decaying flesh, and though it doesn't smell quite yet, it is sure to fester before much longer.

Maeve nods thoughtfully as the P.A.R.T.Y's two new proteges rattle off their weapon expertise.  It's clear that they have a ways to go if they are going to be any real threat.

Here Oliver, I think you should borrow this, Maeve says, giving the farmer the stormbow she acquired back in the forest.  It's a potent weapon and if you're as good as you claim to be, you can do some significant damage with it.  I'm none too good with a bow myself, but Lyriel and Boreas are both dab hands with a bow and arrow. Lyriel perhaps a bit more so, she says, deciding that's there's really no delicate way to say "my friend prefers to shoot magic beams out of his eye."

Rachel, Zuriel is an expert swordfighter, and Lyriel carries a longsword as well.  I'm sure that they can help you practice your fencing skills.  And of course you can always come to me for advice or practice.

And please. . . call me Maeve.  I'll not stand on formalities here.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 796):

Oliver handles the bow delicately, examining it with obvious wonder.

"This looks like a very sturdy bow," he says appreciatively. "I'll do you proud."

Rachel nods her thanks as well.

"I pray that it won't come to that, but thank you, Maeve. That means a lot to me."

With everything packed and everyone mounted or loaded into a carriage or cart, the caravan awaits the P.A.R.T.Y.'s orders to set off.

Zuriel inclines his head to Rachel. "Between Lyriel and I you won't lack for sparring practice, if that is your intent."

The paladin takes a moment to concentrate, opening his mind to his bond with Shahara. Uttering a few words in Celestial, he extends his hands, the summoning circle glowing at his feet before, in a flash, Shahara appears.

The moment the warhorse materializes, she rears, letting out a panicked whinny before charging into Zuriel, molten eyes rolling wildly.

ZURIEL! Light be praised I thought I had lost you, I thought the priest had killed you and sent me back and you were dead and I had failed you and...

The horse's words merge and blend into a cacophonous maelstrom of panicked emotion and fear that slams into Zuriel's gut like a sledgehammer. Shahara's flanks heave as she takes shuddering breaths, and those watching have the entirely surreal but unmistakable experience of watching horse sob hysterically.

"Sh sh sh, there now, I'm fine, Shahara. It's okay, you didn't fail me. I'm just glad you are unharmed." Zuriel puts his arms around Shahara's neck and strokes her mane soothingly until she calms down. After a short time, she seems to get herself under control. She steps back.

And the priest?

"He's dead. We tracked him to his warrens and ended his evil." he says with finality, gesturing towards the corpse.

Shahara trots over and looks inquisitively, stomping her foot and giving a satisfied nicker. Good.

She turns back to Zuriel. I was so scared, Zuriel. I thought I had lost you for good...

The paladin laughs. "You won't get rid of me that easily, Shahara. Come, we have work to do." He pats her again on the neck before hopping up into her saddle.

Anybody witnessing, of course, would have seen an complex, albeit one-sided conversation between a paladin and a horse.

Lyriel clears her throat. Now that we're packed, should we do a brief service honoring the dead of the village before we leave?

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 799):

In their haste to leave, the villagers had largely forgotten about the ceremony.

"It's... not that we don't want to honor them," Sheriff Mathers says slowly.  "But we're... that is to say... will they stay dead? Is it safe to bury them?"

Lyriel hesitates. I'm not sure. As you said last night, the undead haven't really been a threat on this continent in decades. I think to be safe we could give them a funeral pyre. Tassada has rites for such things...many of her followers prefer such a funeral to a burial even.

As the Sheriff wanders off the consult with the villagers, Lyriel focuses on preparing her mind and body. The lingering effects of Ellie's negative energy remained, and the cleric gathered her strength in an attempt to shake herself free. She incants several spells under her breath.

[Casting: Guidance (1x for each save), Magic Circle Against Evil, Bear's Endurance]

[Fort Saves: 14, 21 = 1 Neg Level remaining]

Feeling much of the dark energy fade away, she stands up and sets about healing her companions.

[Healing Spells]

Keef: Summon Monster I > CLW - full healing
Maeve: Summon Monster I> CLW - full healing
Self: Bless > CLW - full healing
Zuriel: Sanctuary + 1 turn attempt > Maximized CLW - full healing

She stands up, catching her breath and brushing a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.

There, that should just about do it. Zuriel, could you see to Boreas' scrapes? I'd rather not waste a spell on something so minor.

She walks off to find the Sheriff to see what type of memorial the townsfolk have decided on.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:26, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

"Sure."

Zuriel walks over to Boreas, and passes a glowing hand over his cuts, which close instantly. He claps the woodsman on the shoulder. "There we go. Good as new."

[Lay on Hands: 2]

Boreas nods in appreciation.

Thanks.  Now let's lay the dead to rest.  I think most everyone wants to put as much distance between us and this place as soon as possible.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 803):

The memorial ceremony is done as tastefully and briefly as possible, though it does require folks to gather the remains of their loved ones from the desecrated church.  The process takes a while, and leaves more than a few people feeling sick to their stomachs at the sight and smell of such carnage.

The Sheriff uses this time to ride to every homestead and building in Vendrinor, posting a notice of abandonment for the Wardens to find when they eventually arrive to conduct their investigation.

All told, the caravan isn't ready to depart until late in the afternoon -- perhaps 4 p.m. This won't give you much time before sunset to travel today, but the villagers seem eager to begin their journey.

[Crossroads]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:45, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

At some point during the ceremony, Zuriel finds Oliver. The paladin takes Ellie's corn husk doll from his pouch and hands it to the grieving farmer.

"I thought you should have this, Oliver. A reminder of Ellie's life, and that the ultimately found her place in the heavens..." He pauses, uncharacteristically unsure what else to say.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 805):

"Thank you, sir," Oliver says, cradling the doll for a moment and smiling with a faraway look in his eyes.  With the stormbow slung across his back next to a quiver of arrows, he looks much like Boreas did when the P.A.R.T.Y. first started out -- albeit with one additional eye.  "I appreciate what you've done for us."

"Thank you, Oliver. I only wish we could have done more..."

Boreas readies himself to depart, content to leave whenever the group deems it prudent.

Maeve helps the villagers load the last of their possessions into the carts and then mounts up, waiting the order to ride out.

Lyriel gathers the party aside around Simon's corpse. Preparing to enact the ritual to speak with the knowledge in his body, she first draws upon divine wisdom.

[Casting: Owl's Wisdom]

She then sets to chanting the ritual to communicate with Simon.

[Casting: Speak with Dead]

Emerald light swirls around the corpse as she chants, lighting up his eyes with a green glow.

[Simon's Will save vs. Spell: 29]

The green glow intensifies, but a surge of black energy crackles along the Reverend's body and extinguishes it. Lyriel curses.

He's...very powerful. I could try again, but it will take at least a week for his corpse to accept the spell again. I could halt his decay tomorrow...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

"We need his information. Let's put him downwind for now until you can preserve him."

Zuriel covers the evil cleric with a tarp and throws him in the back of a cart.

"Let's get a move on."

The information is valuable enough.  I hate that the villagers will have to have this monster's body around another week, but I fear it's what we must do.

Boreas approaches Keef.

What do you say we figure out what some of this stuff does? He shakes the chain shirt the Reverend wore.  I'll cover the cost of identifying the shirt and the hat if the rest of the party can do the mace.

Sure. And this cloth would be good to know too. Keef, if you can prepare the spells I'll cover the costs.

Zuriel takes out his transcribed parchment he'd been using to copy down the answers the Book has provided.

He shows it to his companions discreetly. "Last night I asked if we were being sought be the law. And, well, this is the response."



"So we won't have to worry about being arrested ourselves but... I think I need to make a report to the Wardens or the Flame before we cross borders. Otherwise, returning to the country could prove...problematic.